Each Monday, we'll let you know what's coming in the week ahead, including important residential and commercial report releases, as well as our feature articles.
Construction spending — Jan. 3
The Commerce Department will release November construction spending results on Tuesday, Jan. 3. Last month, the department announced spending rose 0.5% in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.173 trillion.
October's strong showing marked the highest construction spending level since March 2016. The Commerce Department also revised August's and September's spending numbers significantly higher than initially reported — signaling that the industry has been stronger than expected in recent months.
Will Tuesday's report continue the steady gains in construction spending?
Construction industry trends feature article — Jan. 3
The feeling of uncertainty looming over the industry is likely to carry into 2017, as construction companies wait to find out how the incoming presidential administration will impact their business. That uncertainty is just one of several trends that construction pros should keep on their radar heading into 2017. In our feature article on Tuesday, Jan. 3, we'll explore the new technologies, project delivery methods and workforce management trends set to shape the industry this year.
Residential trends feature article — Jan. 3
From millennials to modular, many of the residential construction trends expected to impact the market this year are continuing to build momentum from 2016. In our feature article on Tuesday, Jan. 3, we explore which ones are expected to make the most significant impact and how construction professionals can respond.
CoreLogic Home Price Index — Jan. 3
Escalating home prices dominated headlines in 2016, and industry observers expect the trend to continue into the new year. On Tuesday, Jan. 3, CoreLogic will release its Home Price Index for November. In October, the HPI rose 1.1% from September and was up 6.7% year over year with a 4.6% gain forecast through October 2017. November's figures could offer some indication as to how the presidential election impacted prices, which will better inform 2017 home price forecasts.
New Year's resolutions for contractors feature article — Jan. 4
It's a new year, and for construction professionals, it's a time to recommit to the skills necessary to excel on projects of all sizes. In our feature article on Wednesday, Jan. 4, we'll share a few ideas for New Year's resolutions that should help keep construction pros at the top of their game in 2017 and beyond.
Status update on DOL overtime rule feature article — Jan. 5
The Department of Labor introduced a new rule in 2016 aiming to raise the salary threshold for employees eligible for overtime, but a federal judge blocked its implementation in late November. While the DOL waits out a requested expedited appeal, we'll get the latest take from experts about possible outcomes of the effort, as well as how it could impact the construction industry, in our feature article on Thursday, Jan. 5.
